When I went recently I was again struck by how little climbing/swinging facilities there are in this enclosure. The watermoated half in particular is unavailable to the Siamangs to use as there are no ropes/ branches above it at all. They cannot brachiate around the enormous 'roof' area either as there are insufficient ropes/handholds.
On the same trip I saw Siamang enclosures at Cotswold and Twycross. Marwell's is far superior both in size and design, but the others are actually much better furnished for the Siamangs and so they can use these smaller/simpler areas more fully.
Agree with you there, I can't believe they haven't got round to adding extra vines and swinging oppurtunities in this enclosure. I have only ever heard the siamangs making their call which you used to always hear at Marwell once in this enclosure, and I wonder if the lack of branchiation is a reason for it.
I have only ever heard the siamangs making their call which you used to always hear at Marwell once in this enclosure, and I wonder if the lack of branchiation is a reason for it.
It could have something to do with it, or there again, not (I don't know...) When siamangs call they do swing about their enclosure and usually end up 'singing' from a spot high up, so maybe this layout does inhibit them rather. It does seem so empty for them.
At Twycross they were making a real din at 4 p.m. in the afternoon- stimulated by the adjacent pairs of other Gibbons and Siamangs nearby all calling in chorus..
